Hikvision DS-2CD2032-1 – 3MP CCTV Bullet Marvel

Ah, the Hikvision DS-2CD2032-1 aka The 2cd2032. A favourite with many home CCTV enthusiasts, and rightly so.
A 3MP IP cam marvel, if you want a decent picture and don't mind a wired POE connection, this is a great bullet camera for the shopping list.
With a DS-2CD2032-1 you get a light, poseable IP camera with a neat mounting system. The POE cable comes out the back and there's a cut out in the mount to tidy the cable down to whatever run you choose.
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8.3Total Score

Hikvision DS-2CD2032-1 Review Verdict

Solid features for the price, good quality, but needs some TLC and technical knowledge to get the best from the Hikvision DS-2CD2032-1.

A 3MP IP cam marvel, if you want a decent picture and don’t mind a wired POE connection, this is a great bullet camera for the shopping list.

With a DS-2CD2032-1 you get a light, poseable IP camera with a neat mounting system. The POE cable comes out the back and there’s a cut out in the mount to tidy the cable down to whatever run you choose.

It’s easy to adjust the Hikvision 2cd2032 after installation. Rotate the camera or adjust the field of view using the simple ball-and-socket. It’s nice to see a manufacturer thinking about what users want from a bullet camera.

Why choose a Hikvision 3MP DS-2CD2032-1?

Hikvision makes cameras for other big names in the netcam market, TRENDnet being the obvious supplier. Swann cameras are also Hikvision re-badges. Flash the IP cam firmware and you’re basically using the same camera under a different name.

Feature-wise, a camera like the DS-2CD2032-1 is also really competitive at the price point – £119.99 RRP.

If you want 1080p, the DS-2CD2032-1 will handle it. Reports on the IR surveillance capabilities are positive. Don’t expect to ID a perp at 20m in pitch darkness. You’ll be able to trigger motion alerts at a good distance and get a basic height / build / age from the image.

Once setup, the hardware is solid. You won’t be resetting your Hikvision 2cd2032 every day. There’s no messing with Wifi either, which can be a help.

Is the DS-2CD2032-1 Your New Home CCTV?

The only thing holding the Hikvision back from being a fantastic domestic IP camera is the setup. You will need to know some basic networking and router settings may need to be changed.

For many home owners, even this can be too much for a DIY IP cam system, so make sure you’re reasonably confident with:

Checking IP addresses for devices on your home network

Can forward ports on your router

Are comfortable flashing firmware to a device

Right from the outset, these Hikvision 2032 ship with a fixed IP. Changing the IP requires a bit of software. Don’t do it, and you run a security risk and networking problems with your router at home.

The user manual runs to over 150 pages. It’s comprehensive but a newbie to IP cameras is going to get a headache wading through it. Bone up on your networking knowledge too, as you may have to troubleshoot the Hikvision to get it to play with your NAS or NVR.

The Hikvision software is powerful but not 100% user friendly. Like many DS-2CD2032-1 users, you may opt to use a third party video monitoring software solution.

This is fine if you don’t mind the extra expense. Just remember that to build a reliable home surveillance system around a cam like the Hikvision here, you may need to invest in more than the cam alone.

If you want to view your DS-2CD2032-1 on an iOS or Android device, again you may look to a third-party app.